Are Tomato Leaves Poisonous to Humans?

While tomato leaves are considered to be poisonous, a large quantity of leaves would have to be consumed to have any serious effects on a human. If a large quantity of leaves is eaten, possible effects include headache, abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory and circulatory depression and dilated pupils.

While the leaves and stems of the tomato plant are poisonous, the berries of the plant, the tomatoes, are edible when both green and red, either when cooked or when fresh. The toxic element present in the leaves and stems of the tomato plant are the glycoalkoloids named solanine and demissine.